Patti Dailey-Ruddy

Learning partner, community supporter.

Current position: Director of drop-in childcare at The Family Partnership, a nonprofit organization in Minneapolis

Degree: Psychology, Hamline University, 2012

Why she stayed for college: Hamline puts a strong focus on diversity and celebrating both similarities and differences, and I truly use those lessons daily, working with children and families from all walks of life. Hamline also offered a variety of networking events, allowing me to make connections from which I still benefit.

Why she stayed for work: I had the invaluable experience of working directly with the communities I would interact with in my career, and the personal and professional relationships I formed during my college years are now helping me to grow within my career path.

Experience gained at college: I was able to get to know a variety of local leaders in the Twin Cities and learn from their experiences and insight. I was also able to learn specifically about the diverse communities within the Twin Cities, so when I started my career I was already prepared to work with the distinct populations within our community.

On her St. Paul: The neighborhood I live in, Merriam Park, has the diversity, vibrancy, culture, and convenience of a large city with the friendliness and focus on community of a small town. Not to mention St. Paul is simply beautiful. Nothing beats a walk down Summit Avenue through the changing leaves or the bluffs along the Mississippi on a sunny day.